Approved Package of Practices for Cotton: Punjab State

Cotton is an important kharif crop of the Punjab State. It was grown on 509 thousand
hectares in 2004 - 2005. The total production was 2087 thousand bales. The average
lint yield for the state as a whole was 697 kg per hectare.

Important hints for Bt Cotton

1. Grow only recommended hybrids (RCH 134, RCH 317, MRC 6301, MRC 6304) of Bt Cotton.
2. Avoid sowing Bt Cotton in light sandy soils.
3. Give first irrigation 4 - 6 weeks after sowing depending on soil type.
4. Control sucking pests and tobacco cater pillar as and when situation arises.
5. Grow non Bt - cotton as refuge on the periphery of Bt cotton to prevent development
of resistance against Bt in bollworms. If 20 percent area is under refuge then it
should be protected against bollworms by using recommended insecticides but if refuge
occupies only 5 percent area then it should not be protected.

Climatic Requirements:

A daily minimum temperature of 16 degree C is required for
germination and 21 degree C to 27 degree C for proper crop growth. During the fruiting
phase, the day temperature ranging from 27 degree C to 32 degree C and cool nights
are needed. The cotton - picking period from mid - September to November must have
bright sunny days to ensure a good quality of the produce.Soil Type: Cotton can be successfully grown on all soils except sandy, saline
or waterlogged types. Proper drainage of excess water during rains is essential.

Acid Delinting of Cotton Seed:

Mix 400 g commercial grade concentrated sulphuric acid with 4 kg cotton seed for
American cotton and mix 300 g commercial grade of sulphuric acid with 3 kg seed
of desi cotton in either / plastic container by stirring it vigorously for two to
three minutes with a thick wooden or glass rod. As soon as the fuzz gets dissolved,
add 10 litres of water, stir well and drain out water through the perforated plastic
basket. Repeat these washings three times to make the seed free from sulphuric acid
residue. Dip the washed seed for about one minute in sodium bicarbonate solution
(50g sodium bicarbonate in 10 litres of water) to neutralize the acid residue on
the cotton - seed. Give one more washing with water and remove light, damaged and
rotten inviable seeds floating on the surface. Dry the healthy fuzz free seed in
the shade by spreading in a thin layer. Treat the dry seed with recommended fungicides.

Precautions

1. Metal or wood container should not be used.
2. The operator should wear the plastic gloves
3. The water containing acid and alkali residue should be properly disposed off
in the waste land.
4. Inadequate washing and delayed washing of the seed after acid treatment and residual
acid on the seed if not neutralized may impair the germination of seed.

Seed Treatment:

Add half gram (0.5 g) Emisan - 6 and one fourth gram (0.25 g) of Streptocycline
for one kg cotton seed in one litre of water. In case of acid delinted seed soak
the seed for 2 - 4 hours and for non - delinted seed 6 - 8 hours. Also add half
g succinic acid in 5 litres of water to promote good establishment of plant stand,
better early growth and more yield. After this treatment, the cotton seed should
be smeared with Gaucho 70 WS (Imidacloprid) @ 5 g/kg seed for preventing damage
by cotton jassid.
In case undelinted seed is used, rub it with fine earth,
cowdung or ash to remove its fuzz and ensure its uniform distribution.Time of Sowing: Whole of AprilNote : Sowing during this period ensures better yield and escapes the attack
of insect pests and diseases.

Sowing and Spacing :

Sow in lines 67.5 cm apart with a cotton sowing drill. The plants within rows be
kept 60 cm apart at thinning in case of narma and 45 cm in case of desi cotton.
However, for hybrid LHH 144, Ankur 651 and Whitegold plant to plant distance should
be kept at 75 cm. It may be done after first irrigation or heavy showers. For Moti
Hybrid the plant to plant spacing should be kept at 60 cm.

Ridge Sowing :

Sowing of cotton on ridges prepared with cotton planter and irrigating the crop
planter and irrigating the crop in furrows saves considerable amount of irrigation
water without reduction in seed cotton yield.

Weed Control :

Hoe two or three times. The first hoeing should be done before first irrigation.
For hand weeding, use of a weel hoe is recommended. A tractor drawn cultivator or
bullock driven Triphali can also be used in the early stages of the crop growth
but their use after fruit initiation should be avoided. Chemical weed control in
cotton is cheap and efficient. For control of weeds particularly its it (Trianthema
portulacastrum), Madhana / Makra (Eleusine spp), apply Treflan 48 EC, Shaktiman
Triflurex 48 EC (trifluralin) @ 1.0 litre / acre on a well prepared seed bed and
incorporate these herbicides throroughly in 3 - 4 cm soil or stomp 30 EC @ 1.0 litre
/ acre as pre - emergence within 24 hours of sowing. Weeds start emerging at about
5 - 6 weeks after application of herbicide. Give one hoeing / interculture around
45 days after sowing to control these weeds.
Alternatively, in place of hoeing / interculture apply Gramoxone 24 percent WSC
(paraquat) 500 ml / acre or Roundup 41% SL / Glycel 41% SL (Glyphosate) 1.0 litre
/ acre in 100 litres of water (6 - 8 weeks ) after sowing when the crop is about
40 - 45 cm in height as a directed spray to control weeds in - between the crop
rows. To avoid drift, spray these herbicides on non - windy days. The directed spray
can be done using knap - sack sprayer fitted with flat fan nozzle and keeping the
boom height low ( 15 - 20 cm above the ground level ) or using a protective hood
so that herbicide does not fall on crop leaves. Both paraquat and glyphosate are
non - selective herbicides and can cause injury to the crop if it falls on the crop
leaves. However, falling of herbicides on stem of the plant is not harmful. In situations
where perennial weeds are a problem, glyphosate is more effective and provides long
duration control.
In situations where its it emerges after 'first irrigation or with the rain shower
Stomp @ 1.0 litre/acre can also be applied as post- emergence after first irrigation
to cotton. If the weeds emerge before the application of the herbicide, a light
hoeing/interculture may be done as the Stomp does not control the emerged weeds.
Dissolve the herbicide thoroughly in 200-250 litres of water/acre and spray it uniformly
with a knap sack sprayer fitted with flat fan or flood jet nozzle. The herbicide
can also be sprayed with tractor mounted sprayer fitted with flat fan nozzle. For
getting good results with the herbicide, following precautions should be taken:

- Prepare a fine seed bed free from plant residues and clods ensure adequate moisture
in the field at the time of spray of herbicide.
- Spray of the herbicide should be done either in the morning or evening hours

Fertilizer Application:

Cotton responds well to the application of nitrogen. In certain areas, the crop
shows some response to the application of phosphatic fertilizers.

Drill all phosphorus with the last ploughing. Apply half
N at thinning and the remaining half at the appearance of the first flower for all
varieties except LH 1556.
For LH 1556 the first half dose of N may be applied alongwith phosphorus at sowing
and remaining half of N around mid-July. If the soil is low in fertility, the first
half dose of N may be applied at sowing instead of at thinning. Apply 20 kg muriate
of potash and 10 kg zinc sulphate per acre to cotton on light soils. To get higher
yields, give four sprays of 2% potassium nitrate at weekly interval starting at
flower initiation in addition to soil applied fertilizers.

The following fertilizer recommendations are made:

*Nutrients (kg/acre)

Fertilizers (kg/acre)

N

P2O5

Urea (46% N)

DAP or (18% N 46% P2O5)

Super- Phosphate (16% P2O5)

(A)

Varieties

30

12

65

27

75

(B)

Hybrids

60

12

130

27

75

* These nutrients can also be supplied from other fertilizers available in the market

** Where 27 kg DAP is used, reduce the urea dose 10 kg.

Note: Omit application of phosphorus to cotton when it follows wheat which
received recommended dose of phosphorus.

Irrigation and Drainage:

Cotton requires four to six irrigations, depending upon the seasonal rainfall. The
first irrigation should be given 4 to 6 weeks after sowing and the subsequent ones
at interval of two or three weeks sowing cotton on ridges and irrigation in furrows
save considerable amount of water. The crop must not be allowed to suffer for want
of water during the flowering and fruiting stages, otherwise a lot of shedding of
flowers and bolls will take place resulting in low yield cotton during its early
growth is very sensitive to water stagnation. Therefore, drain out the stagnant
water, if such a situation arises. To hasten boll opening give the last irrigation
by the end of September.

Caution:

On light soils and in crop sown on ridges, the first irrigation may be advanced
if necessary.

Hybrid Seed Production

LHH 144:

This is a cross between PIL 43 (Female parent) having okra lobed leaves and PIL
8 Miah (male parent). The hybrid seed is produced by hand emasculation of flower
buds of female parent and pollination by flowers of male parent. The seed of parental
lines should be purchased from Punjab Agricultural University every year to maintain
genetic purity. The emasculated female bud is covered with soda straw pipe and the
male flower is tied with a 3" piece of a thread in the evening. The tied male flowers
are used for pollinating the emasculated female buds in the morning. A piece of
thread is tied to the stalk of the bud after pollination which serves as a marker
for crossed boll.

PIL 43:

PIL 48:

The male parent of LHH 144 has compact plant type with 0 - 1 monopod and about 130
cm plant height. It has medium lobed green leaves, creamy white flowers and matures
in about 165 days.

Isolation of hybrid seed plot:

The hybrid seed production field should have an isolation of 50 meters from other
American cotton varieties and 5 meters between male and female plots to ensure the
genetic purity of the seed.

Seed Rate and Spacing in Hybrid Seed Plot:

One acre hybrid seed production plot requires 6 kanal area under female parent and
2 kanal area under male parent with the following seed rate and spacing

Parental lines

Seed rate (kg/acre)

Spacing (cm) LHH 144

Female

3.0

67.5 * 90

Male

1.5

67.5 * 60

The skipping of one row after every two rows in female plot
gives better setting of crossed bolls. In LHH 144 hybrid seed production 50 percent
of the male parent should be sown along with female parent and the remaining 50
percent 10 - 15 days later to get sufficient number of male flowers for crossing.

Rougueing:

Off - type plants based on plant colour, leaf shape, flower colour etc., if any,
should be rogued to maintain purity of parental lines.

Seed Production Technique:

The F1 hybrid seed is produced by the placement of functional pollen of the desired
male parent on to the receptive stigma of the emasculated female at right time.
Emasculation of flowers is done from 3 PM to 6 PM by removing the anthers with thumb
nail before maturity (anthesis) and pollinate the next morning from 8 AM to 10 AM
when stigma is receptive. Avoid too young or too old buds. The male flowers to be
taken for pollination should be selfed the previous evening to avoid contamination
by insects. For identification of crossed bolls at maturity the crossed flower buds
should be tagged in order to enhance the setting percentage unattempted flowers
and naturally formed bolls should be removed . Hybrid seed plot should be kept free
from weeds and special care should be taken to prevent damage due to insect pests
and diseases.

Picking, Storing and Ginning:

The kapas from crossed healthy and marked bolls should be picked, stored and ginned
separately. The cleaned seed should be labeled and stored in a clean dry place.
Its genetic purity and germination should be tested before use.

Hybrid Seed Production

Moti: Desi Cotton Hybrid:

This hybrid is produced by crossing DS - 5 (female parent)
with LD 210 (male parent). DS - 5 is a genetic male sterile line and, thus there
is no need of emasculating the female flowers. Crossing is accomplished by applying
pollen from freshly opened flowers of the male parent on the stigma of the freshly
opened flowers of the female parent.

Maintenance of Parental lines

Female Parent (DS - 5):

The male sterile line is maintained by pollinating the male sterile plants with
pollen from male fertile plants of the same line. Since male sterility DS - 5 is
controlled by as single recessive nuclear gene, so we always get a mixture of male
sterile and male fertile plants in 1: 1 ratio.

The male sterile plants are identified on the basis of their
small, whitish and shriveled anthers. The male fertile plants have well developed
anthers and after flower opening the anthers are covered with bright yellow pollen
grains. Freshly opened flowers on male sterile plants are pollinated with pollen
from male fertile plants in the morning (9.00 - 11.00 AM). Pollination is done by
rubbing the anthers of fertile flowers in the stigma of male sterile flowers. For
identification of cross these artificially pollinated flowers, a thread is tied
to the pedicel of the flowers immediately after pollination.

Male Parent (LD 210):

This is a normal male fertile genotype. It is maintained just like other varieties
by following normal seed production and certification norms. Care should be taken
to maintain maximum genetic purity.

Production of hybrid seed

Isolation of hybrid seed plot:

The hybrid seed production plot should have an isolation of 50 meters from other
desi cotton varieties and 5 meters between male and female plots to ensure genetic
purity of the seed.

Seed rate and Spacing in hybrid seed plot:

One acre hybrid seed production plot requires 6 kanal area under female parent and
2 kanal area under male parent with the following seed rate and spacing.

Parental lines

Seed rate (kg/acre)

Spacing (cm)

DS-5 (Female Parent)

2.0

67.5 * 45

LD 210 (Male Parent)

1.0

67.5 * 45

The skipping of one row after every two rows in female plot gives better setting
of crossed bolls.

Roughing:

In the female parent, 50% plants are expected to be male - fertile. These plants
are identified by examining the first opened flower and roughed out. This is necessary
to obtain a pure stand of the male - sterile plants.

Crossing Procedure:

For production of hybrid seed, freshly opened flowers of the male parent (LD 210)
are used as source of pollen. Pollen is applied in the morning (9.00 - 11.00 AM)
by rubbing anthers of the male flower on the stigma of freshly opened flowers of
female parent (DS - 5). For identification of crossed bolls, threads are tied to
the pedicel of cross pollinated flowers. In order to enhance the setting percentage,
unpollinated flowers and naturally pollinated bolls should be removed. Hybrid seed
plot should be kept free from weeds and special care should be taken to control
insects and diseases. The crop should not suffer from moisture stress flowering
stage as it will lead to shedding of flowers / bolls.

Picking, Storing and Ginning:

The Kapas from crossed healthy and marked bolls should be picked, stored and ginned
separately. The cleaned seed should be labeled and stored in a clean dry place.
Its genetic purity and germination should be tested before use.

Plant - Protection Measures

Insect Pests Management (Bt cotton)

BT cotton does not provide effective control of sucking
pests and tobacco caterpillar. Among sucking pests, jassid, aphid and whitefly are
most serious on Bt cotton and they cause maximum damage during July - September.
Nymphs and adults of jassid suck sap from leaves and cause shedding in case of severe
infestation. Whitefly adults and nymphs suck sap from leaves and excrete honey dew
on leaves which become sticky. Affected leaves and seed cotton turn black due to
development of sooty mould. Aphids appear sporadically. The nymphs and adults of
aphid suck sap and excrete honey dew on leaves on which black fungus develops.
Tobacco caterpillar is a polyphagous pest. The larvae cause
serious damage to crop from August to October. The small larvae are black whereas
grown up larvae are dark green with black triangular spots on body. Its moths lay
eggs in masses covered with brown hairs on the lower side of mature leaves. After
hatching, first and second instar larvae feed gregariously and skeletonize the foliage.
Later on grown up larvae disperse and feed singly. Besides leaves, they also damage
the buds, flowers and green bolls.
Spotted, pink and American bollworms may also attack Bt
cotton late in the season. Due to attack of these bollworms shedding of flowers
and bolls may occur.
For effective protection of Bt cotton, it is necessary to
adopt the following Integrated Pest Management strategies.

A. Cultural and Mechanical Control

i. Grow only recommended Bt cotton hybrids.
ii. Complete sowing in the April.
iii. Avoid growing castor, moong, dhaincha and bhindi in and around the Bt cotton.
These are the most preferred hosts of tobacco caterpillar, helping the pest to multiply
and shift to cotton.
iv. Keep the fields free from the weed, itsit as acts as an alternate host of tobacco
caterpillar.
v. Egg masses and young larvae of tobacco caterpillar feeding gregariously should
be collected along with leaves and destroyed.

B. Monitoring of bollworms and tobacco caterpillar with sex pheromones

The monitoring of bollworms and tobacco caterpillar should
be done with the initiation of flowering stage of crop. Observations on moth catch
should be recorded on every alternate day. This monitoring strategy will help in
making decision for effective management of bollworms and tobacco caterpillar.

Pink bollworm

Using Sticka / Delta traps with at least 10 micro litre of gossyplure and place
it at 15 cm above crop canopy. Replace the lure after 15 days and use 1 trap / ha.

Spotted / Spiny bollworms:

Use Sleeve / Moth catch traps for spotted bollworms and replace the lure at 15 days
interval. Place the trap at 15 cm above the crop canopy and use 2 traps / ha.

American bollworm:

Use Sleeve / Moth catch trap with at least 2 mg of pheromone and place it at 15
cm above crop canopy. Replace the lure after 15 days and use 2 traps / ha.

Tobacco Caterpillar:

Use sleeve / moth catch trap for tobacco caterpillar. Replace the lure after every
15 days. Place the trap 15 cm above crop canopy and use 2 traps / ha.

C. Chemical Control

a) Sucking insect pests: The decision regarding spray of insecticides should be
taken based on economic threshold (ETH). Initiate spray against jassid whenever
some of the fully formed leaves in the upper canopy show curling and yellowing at
the margins on 50 percent of the plants. Sprays against whitefly should be done
when population reaches six adults per leaf in the upper canopy of plants before
10 Am or when honey dew appears on 50% of the plants. Spray against aphid should
also be done on the appearance of honey dew on 50% plants (Table 1).
b) Tobacco Caterpiller : Bt Cotton does not provide protection against tobacco caterpillar.
Tobacco caterpillar can cause severe damage to the Bt crop if not controlled in
time. For effective control of this pest, insecticides mentioned in table 2 should
be sprayed when the need arises.
c) Bollworms : Bt cotton provides effective protection against all cotton bollworms.
However, regular monitoring should be done at weekly interval during reproductive
phase. Farmers should examine their fields twice a week in order to ensure that
bollworms damage does not exceed 5 percent in shed flowers and bolls. For this purpose
divide the field into four quarters and collect 25 freshly shed flowers and bolls
at random in each quarter. The bolls damaged by bollworms will have feeding holes
or their larvae. In case the damage exceeds 5 percent, the crop should be sprayed
immediately and thereafter spray as when need arises. If at all American bollworms
cross ETH level during late crop season, use insecticides as mentioned in table
2. Prefer spinosad and indoxacarb for the control of American bollworm during September.

Resistance management:

To avoid the development of resistance in Bt cotton to bollworms, 20 percent area
should be sown under non - Bt cotton hybrids around Bt cotton. The non - Bt hybrids
should be protected against damage be insect pests as mentioned in case of non -
Bt cotton hybrids. Alternatively 5 percent area of non - Bt hybrids can be sown
around Bt cotton and this should be kept unsprayed.

Insect Pests Management (Non - Bt Cotton)

Bollworms are the most harmful insects which attack cotton in the Punjab. Spotted
bollworms damage growing points during May - June and cause heavy shedding of squares,
buds, flowers and bolls during July to October. The American bollworms causes severe
shedding of fruiting bodies during September - October especially on American cotton.
The colour of its larvae greatly varies. They have one line on upper side and two
wavy lines on lateral side of body. Their body also has sparse hairs. Pink bollworm
does maximum damage from mid - july to mid - October. Due to severe attack of bollworms,
the plants continue to grow without having adequate number of bolls.
Tobacco caterpillar is a polyphagous pest. The larvae cause serious damage to crop
from August to October. The small larvae are black whereas grown up larvae are dark
green with black triangular spots on body. Its moths lay eggs in masses covered
with brown hairs on the lower side of mature leaves. After hatching, first and second
instar larvae feed gregariously and skeletonize the foliage. Later on grown up larvae
disperse and feed singly. Besides leaves, they also damage the buds, flowers and
green bolls.
Amongst sucking pests, jassid and whitefly are most serious on American cotton and
they cause maximum damage during July - September. Nymphs and adults of jassid suck
sap from leaves and cause shedding in case of severe infestation. Whitefly adults
and nymphs suck sap from leaves and excrete honey dew on leaves which become sticky.
Affected leaves and seed - cotton turn black due to development of sooty mould.
Whitefly also transmits cotton leaf curl virus in American cotton. Aphids appear
sporadically. The nymphs and adults of aphid suck sap & excrete honey dew on leaves
on which black fungus develops.
The larvae of leaf - roller, semi - loopers, hairy - caterpillars and bud moth may
also appear sporadically and damage the crop during July - October.
For effective protection of cotton, it is necessary to adopt the following Integrated
Pest Management approach based on cultural, mechanical and chemical control measures.

(A) Cultural and Mechanical Control

Burn all trash collected during the ginning process. Remove all seed from the ginneries
by the end of April. Fumigate the seed left uncrushed in the mills before end of
May with Celphos / Phostoxin / Delicia @ one 3 - g tablet per cubic metre space,
giving an exposure of 48 hours or use two tables with an exposure of 24 hours. No
un - fumigated seed should be retained are slod by the ginner is only cotton - seed
cake (khal) should be fed to the cattle and no seed should be kept for this purpose.

The seed meant for sowing should be acid - delinted in the ginneries before it is
sold. The acid - treatment kills the larvae of the pink bollworm and the bacterial
pathogen of bacterial blight. It also removes fuzz and therby facilitates mechanical
sowing.

Even the apparently healthy seed - cotton (kapas) may be harbouring larvae of pink
bollworm. Hence, kapas retained by the farmers should be ginned by the end of March
and seed fed to cattle. If this seed is to be retained for sowing. It should be
acid - delinted / fumigated or thoroughly dried in the sun in a thin layer for 3
- 4 consecutive days in April. iv. Sow only recommended varieties / hybrids because
they are moderately resistant to jassid and due to their early maturity they also
escape the late - season attack of bollworms.

Terminate the crop as early as economically feasible. For this purpose give last
irrigation by end of September. It would reduce bollworms damage and their carryover.

After the last picking, allow sheep, goats and other farm animals into cotton fields
to feed on plant debris and un - opened bolls.

Stacking of cotton sticks in a shaded place and in horizontal position favours the
survival of the over wintering larvae of pink bollworm. Stacking in the field helps
in easier spread of the first brood. Therefore, bundles of sticks should be stacked
vertically in the open within the village premises. Before stacking the sticks,
dislodge the burs and unopened bolls by beating them against the ground or just
pluck them. The burs and bolls so collected should be burnt immediately.

Uproot and destroy the alternate host plants of spotted bollworms like kanghi buti
and peeli buti, growing on field bunds, water channels and waste land in the area
during the off - season of cotton. Repeat these operations at monthly interval upto
the end of May.

Avoid growing bhindi, moong and arhar in the cotton crop and as border rows in order
to reduce the incidence of Helicoverpa, spotted bollworms, jassid and whitefly.
Bhindi, moong, dhaincha and castor are also the most preferred hosts of tobacco
caterpillar, helping the pest to multiply and shift to cotton. The above pests on
these crops grown in the vicinity of cotton fields, should be properly controlled
in order to check their migration to the cotton crop.

Egg masses and young larvae of tobacco caterpillar feeding gregariously should be
collected along with leaves and destroyed.

(B) Monitoring of bollworms with sex pheromones:

The monitoring of bollworms should be done with the initiation
of flowering stage of crop. Observations on moth catch should be recorded on every
alternate day. This monitoring strategy will help in making decision for effective
management of bollworms.

Pink bollworm:

Use Sticka / Delta trap with at least 10 micro litre of gossyplure and place it
at 15 cm above crop canopy. Replace the lure after 15 days and use 1 trap / ha.

Spotted / Spiny bollworms:

Use Sleeve / Moth catch traps for spotted bollworms and replace the lure at 2 weeks
interval. Place the trap at 15 cm above the crop canopy and use 2 traps / ha.

American bollworm:

Use Sleeve / Moth catch trap with at least 2 mg of pheromone and place it at 15
cm above crop canopy. Replace the lure after 15 days and use 2 traps / ha.

(c) Chemical Control

(a) Sucking pests:

The decisions regarding spray of insecticides are taken based on economic threshold
(ETH). Initiate spray against jassid whenever some of the fully formed leaves in
the upper canopy show curling and yellowing at the margins on 50 percent of the
plants. Sprays against whitefly should be done when population reaches six adults
per leaf in the upper canopy of plants before 10 AM or when honeydew appears on
50% of the plants. Spray against aphid should also be done on the appearance of
honeydew on 50% plants.

Insecticides for the control of sucking insect pests

Insecticides

Dose

Brand (s)

Jassid

(a) Seed treatment: At the time of sowing
smear the seed with any of the following
insecticides.
i. Imidacloprid 70 WS
ii. Thiomethoxam 70WS

(b) Bollworms :

In order to control bollworms, conduct sprays on different varieties during their
effective boll formation period based on economic threshold (ETH). Farmers should
examine their fields twice a week in order to ensure that bollworms damage does
not exceed 5 percent among the freshly shed fruiting bodies (squares, buds and young
bolls). For this purpose divide the field into four quarters and collect 25 freshly
shed fruiting bodies at random in each quarter. The fruiting bodies damaged by bollworms
will have feeding holes or their larvae. In case the damage exceeds 5 percent, the
crop should be sprayed immediately and thereafter spray as when need arises. The
effective boll formation period of different varieties / hybrids of American cotton
during which spray of insecticides should be done is as follow:

Effective boll formation period in different varieties / hybrids of American Cotton

4th week of July to mid September
2nd week of August to 1st week of October
3rd week of August to October

Desi Cotton:

In case of desi cotton, the first spray against bollworms should be done when 25
percent plants start producing squares. Subsequent spray should be need based.

Detopping:

Desi cotton grown on medium to high fertility soils generally attain unmanageable
height for effective spraying against bollworms. The top portion of plants with
excessive height usually remains unsprayed. Fruiting bodies of these uncovered plant
portions contribute very little towards yield but greatly help in bollworms build
up. Plants attaining height more than 1.5m should be detopped as and when required
by using pruning scatteur / sickle / green mulberry stick.

Insecticide Resistance Management (IRM) Strategy:

IRM is component of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme. The adoption of
this strategy helps in reducing / delaying the insecticide resistance to insects.
It also increases function life of the insecticides.

1. Sucking pests management (Sowing - first week of July)

Sow recommended varieties which are resistant to sucking pests and cotton leaf curl
virus to avoid early sprays.

Destroy alternate hosts of cotton leaf curl virus and whitefly.

Timely sowing, judicious use of fertilizers, irrigation, proper spacing and clean
cultivation will prevent the early build up of pests and help conserve natural enemies.

Treat seed with Gaucho / Cruiser to control the cotton jassid in susceptible cultivars.

Do not use any insecticide during this period to conserve natural enemies.

Do not spray against thrips and black semilooper, as they do not cause any economic
damage to the crop.

Use endosulfan for bollworms infestation as it is less toxic to natural enemies.
It gives moderate control of cotton jassid also.

Avoid the use of synthetic pyrethroids for the control of spotted bollworms (SBW).
Use them only if endosulfan fails to give satisfactory control.

Avoid the use of nitoguadine compounds against jassid as these are toxic to natural
enemies.

Do not use organophosphates / carbamates against bollworms.

3. Bollworms and tobacco caterpillar management (Mid to
end August)

Use profenophos / quinalphos / carbaryl in alternation with synthetic pyrethroids
for the control of bollworms.

Prefer the use of acephate for the control of grown up larvae of American bollworm.
It will also provide effective control of tobacco caterpillar.

Use spinosad only in case of severe infestation of American bollworm.

4. Bollworms and tobacco caterpillar management (September
- October)

Use profenophos / triazophos / quinalphos / thiodicarb for younger larvae of American
bollworm. Prefer chlorpyriphos for grown up larvae. Chlorpyriphos, thiodicarb and
quinalphos will also provide effective control of tobacco caterpillar.

Use indoxacarb / spinosad in case the American bollworm is serious.

Use triazophos / ethion for the management of whitefly. It will also provide effective
control of pink bollworm and spotted bollworms.

Note :

a) Regularly monitor the pest population
b) For effective insecticide resistance management do not repeat the insecticide
of same group in subsequent sprays.
c) Do not use mixtures of insecticides as they will result in faster development
of resistance and resurgence of pests.
d) Do not use synthetic pyrethroids on cotton for the control of bollworm complex
after mid September.
e) Repeat the spray immediately if it rains with in 24 hours after spray.
f) If hairy caterpillars damage cotton crop during June - July use 500 ml endosulfan
35 EC / quinalphos 25 EC or 200 ml of Nuvan / DDVP 100 in
100 litres of water per acre.
g) Never follow the wrong advice of the pesticide dealears.
h) Cotton is highly sensitive to the 2, 4 - D weedicide. Some farmers spray the
easter form of 2, 4 - D for
controlling weeds in maize grown near the cotton fields.
Owing to the
volatile nature of 2, 4 - D ester, its vapours cause serious
injury to the cotton crop.
Hence avoid the application of this herbicide in maize,
if cotton is grown in the
adjoining fields. The other precautions are:
1) After using 2, 4 - D on any crop, fill all spraying equipment as well as tubs,
buckets, etc.
with 0.5 percent washing soda solution (500 g of washing
soda in 100 litres of water) in
the evening. Next morning, flush all equipment thoroughly
with fresh water.
2) To avoid the use of contaminated insecticides on cotton. It is advisable to test
two
weeks in advance on a few plants. If the insecticide is
contaminated with 2, 4 - D the
tender leaves and shoots could become distorted and lancolated
within 10 days. Reject such an insecticide.

Performance of various insecticides against insect pests and safety to natural enemies
of cotton

Insecticides

Insect Pests

Natural
enemies

Remarks

J

W

PBW/ SBW

ABW

TC

Young

Grown up

A. Organochlorinate

Endosulfan

Good

Good

Good

Good

Poor

Very good

Safe

Safer to the natural
enemies, low
resistance in
American bollworm
early in the season

B. Organophosphates

Monocrotophos

Good

Poor

Good

Poor

Poor

Poor

Highly toxic

Excessive use can
cause resurgence of
whitefly and
American bollworm

Profenophos

Poor

Poor

Good

Good

Poor

Poor

Toxic

-

Quinalphos

Poor

Poor

Good

Good

Poor

Very good

Toxic

Excessive use can
cause resurgence of
jassid

Chlorpyriphos

Poor

Poor

Good Very

good

Very good

Very good

Highly toxic

Excessive use can
cause resurgence of
jassid

Acephate

Good

Poor

Good Very

good

Very good

Very good

Toxic

Excessive use can
cause resurgence of
whitefly and
American bollworm

Triazophos

Poor

Very good

Good

Good

Poor

Poor

Toxic

-

Ethion

Poor

Very good

Good

Good

Poor

Poor

Toxic

-

C. Synthetic pyrethroids

Alphamethrin, ?
cyfluthrin
cypermethrin,
deltamethrin,
fenvalerate

Poor

Poor

Very good

Poor

Poor

Poor

Toxic

Excessive use can
cause resurgence of
whitefly and
American bollworm,
high level of
resistance in
American bollworm

Spray Technology

The insecticides recommended for control of sucking pests
bollworms and tobacco caterpillar should be sprayed using 125 - 150 litres spray
material per acre with the manually operated knapsack sprayer of 75 litres with
the shoulder mounted power sprayer and tractor mounted sprayer. Quantity of spray
material may vary with different types of sprayer and nozzles. However, actual amount
of insecticide recommended should be reduced.
Making pathways by pressing the branches on both sides helps
in efficient spraying. Make such pathways at 2 metres distance for the manually
operated knapsack sprayer and at 4 metres for the shoulder - mounted power sprayer.
Tractor mounted sprayer should have 13 triple action nozzles fixed on the boom at
75 cm distance from each other. Each zone should discharge 500 - 600 ml spray material
per minute. The tractor should be operated at 4.0 and 2.5 km per hour speed for
spraying against sucking pests and bollworms, respectively. Use the same tyre tracks
and run the tractor in the same direction for all sprays. Keep the spray boom about
50 cm above the crop canopy. Each run of the tractor should cover about 10 meters
width of the crop.

Diseases

Leaf Curl:

Disease is caused by whitefly transmitted virus. The diseased
plants become stunted and have twisted internodes. Leaves remain small, show cupping
and curling. Veins on the lower side of the leaves become thickened with netted
appearance. Small leaflets (enations) also develop on the under side of the leaves
on the main as well as lateral veins. Numbers of fruiting bodies are reduced in
the diseased plants.
The disease can be reduced by adopting the following measures:

Avoid growing American cotton in and around citrus orchards and adjoining bhindi
crop.

In American cotton use 4 kg seed per acre and go on uprooting and destroying the
infected plants upto initation of fruiting phase. iv. Protect the crop against whitefly
vector at 4 - 5 leaf stage by using recommended insecticides.

Root rot :

This disease is caused by Rhizoctonia solani and R.bataticola. The main symptom
is sudden and complete wilting of plant. The disease spreads in field in round patches.
The affected plants can be pulled out very easily. The disease starts much early
but wilting takes place quite late. The bark of the roots is broken into shreds
and gives foul smell.

Bacterial blight:

It is caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv malvacearum which survives in seed and
plant debris. Lesions on the leaves appear as minute, water - soaked, angular spots,
which subsequently turn brown and then are transformed into black angular dead lesions
on both sides of the leaf. The bacterium also infects the young developing bolls
and causes small, round, water soaked spots depressed in the centre. Spray will
Blitox 50 (500g) + Agrimycin (20g) / Streptocycline (3 g) per acre at 15 - 20 days
interval starting just after the first shower of rain. Three sprays will be enough.
These chemicals can be mixed with the pesticides recommended for the control of
insect pests after consulting compatibility chart. The quantity of water will depend
upon the crop growth and the spray pump to be used.

Anthracnose:

It is caused by Glomerella gossypii which survives on crop debris in the soil. It
produces small, round reddish spots on leaves, bracts and bolls. The disease is
severe at the seedling stage.

Leaf blight:

The disease is caused by Helminthosporium speciferum. The fungus generally attacks
the seedling causing pre and post emergence deaths. Light brown spots occur on the
leaves. During severe infection, there is shedding of leaves, flowers and bolls.
The fungus Alternaria gossypina also causes blightening
of the leaves. In the early - stages, the spots have a pale green area with irregular
margins. As the spots enlarge, irregular concentric zones are formed. Sometimes
severe shedding of leaves occur due to this disease. The plants with low vigour
because of drought or deficiency of potash favour the development of this disease.

Leaf spots:

The disease is caused by Myrothecium roridum and the symptoms appear on leaves,
bracts as well as on bolls. The disease is characterized by circular to semicircular
brown coloured spots with broad violet margins. At later stages, shield shaped,
small size fruiting bodies appear in the central necrotic portion of the spot. The
pathogen is a seed borne and also survives on the dead leaves. High humidity and
intermittant rains are congenial for the development of the disease.
Another type of leaf spot disease which is caused by Cercospora
sp. generally appears towards the end of the season. It produces small, circular
spot having white purple margin. In advance stages, necrotic central portion may
fall out giving shot hole appearance.
To control anthracnose, leaf blights and leaf spots, the
crop should be sprayed alternately with Blitox 50 or Captan 83 (500 g in 200 litres
of water) at interval of 15 to 20 days staring just after the first shower of rain.
Two to three sprays will be enough.

Wilt:

It is a fungal disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. vasinfectum. The pathogen
of disease is both soil and seed - borne. In the diseased seedlings and plants,
the leaves loose their turgidity, first turn yellow, then brown, start wilting and
finally drop off. Discoloration of the leaves start from the margins and spreads
towards the mid - ribs. The older leaves are affected first, followed by the younger
ones towards the top. Wilting may be complete or partial. In the later case only
one side of the plant is affected while the other remains apparently healthy. In
complete wilting, the plant remains stunted, wilt rapidly and dies. The most prominent
diagnostic symptom of the disease is browning and blackening of the vascular tissues.
Five to six year rotation with non - host crops may help in controlling the disease.
In the infested field, sow LD 694 variety of desi cotton since the same is tolerant
to wilt. In the highly infested fields grow American cotton because it remains free
from this disease. For the chemical control of wilt soak 3 kg seed in 6 litres of
water containing 6 g of Bavistin / Derosal for 6 - 8 hrs. (non delinted seed) or
2 - 3 hrs (acid delinted seed).

Grey mildew:

Grey mildew or dahiya disease caused by Ramularia areola occurs sporadically during
humid weather. It appears on leaves as dull white, irregular, transluscent spots
bordered by veinlets with frosty growth on the lower surface of the leaves. It may
cause defoliation and premature boll opening.

Tirak:

It is a physiological disorder. It is characterized by the yellowing and reddening
of leaves, followed by the bad opening of the bolls. The disease appears now and
then the attack is more pronounced in the dry belt adjoining Rajasthan and Haryana.
It is particularly serious in pockets where cotton suffers from persistent drought,
inadequate water supply, nutrient deficiency on light sandy drought, inadequate
water supply, nutrient deficiency on light sandy soils, too every sowing or lack
of plant protection measures. These factors may operate singly or in different combinations.
Spells of high temperature prevailing during the flowering and fruiting further
aggrevate the intensity of this malady. Judicious fertilization and timely watering
particularly during flowering and fruiting stages and the adoption of recommended
plant protection schedule help to mitigate the intensity of this disease.

Picking:

Cotton should be picked clean and dry to get a good price in the market. Desi cotton
is ready for picking in the third week of September. Picking should be done after
every 8 - 10 days to avoid loss because of the Kapas falling to the ground. Do not
keep the picked cotton in wet water channels in the filed, as this practice impairs
the quality of cotton. Store kapas in a dry godown. Keep produce of different varieties
separately.

Removal of cotton sticks:

Soon after the last picking, remove the cotton sticks along with the roots from
the field and bury the remaining plant debris with furrow turning plough as sanitary
measure against pests and diseases. Use or burn cotton sticks by the end of February
at the latest.
Use two - row tractor operated Cotton Stalk Uprooter for uprooting of Cotton stalks.
The Cotton Stalk Uprooter should be operated at a speed of 7 to 9 km/hr and at a
depth of 12 to 15 cm with 45hp tractor for efficient field operation. This equipment
will provide 10 to 15% more cotton sticks by weight than conventional manual stalk
chopping method with a field capacity of 1.25 to 1.50 acre/hr.

Marketing Hints

1) Kapas should be picked dry, with covered head free from trash, with no dew
on it.
2) The first and the last picking are usually of low quality and should not be
mixed with rest of the produce. High - grade kapas mixed
with low grade
kapas sells at a relatively low price.
3) Store kapas in damp proof and rat - free room.
4) Store different varieties separately.

Improved Varieties

American Cotton

RCH 134 Bt:

It is high yielding, intra - hirsutum Bt Cotton hybrid resistant to spotted bollworm
and American bollworm. It has broad lobed green leaves, 2 - 3 monopods and 25 -
26 sympods. It matures in 160 - 165 days. Its boll size is 3.8 g with good fluffy
opening. It gave average yield of 11.5 q/acre seed cotton. It has very good fibre
properties with 27.7 mm 2.5% span length, 25.0 g/tex fibre strength and 34.4% ginning
outturn.

RCH 317 Bt:

It is high yielding, intra - hirsutum Bt cotton hybrid resistant to spotted bollworm
and American bollworm. It has broad lobed green leaves with 2 - 3 monopods and 26
- 27 sympods. It matures in 160 - 165 days. It has boll size of 3.7 g with good
fluffy opening. It recorded average yield of 10.5 q/acre. It has 28.6 mm 2.5% span
length and 33.9% ginning outturn.

MRC 6301 Bt:

It is high yielding, intra - hirsutum Bt Cotton hybrid resistant to spotted bollworm
and American bollworm. It has green broad leaves, 3 - 4 monopods and 24 - 25 sympods.
It gave average yield of 10.0 q/acres seed cotton and matures in 160 - 165 days.
It has good boll size (4.3g) with good fluffy opening. It has 28.3 mm 2.5% span
length and 34.7% ginning outturn.

MRC 6304 Bt:

It is high yielding, intra - hirsutum Bt cotton hybrid resistant to spotted bollworm
and American bollworm. It has green broad lobed leaves, 2 - 3 monopods and 26 -
27 gympods. It matures in 160 - 165 days. It has boll size of 3.9g and has good
fluffy opening. It gave an average yield of 10.1 q/acre seed cotton. It has good
fibre properties with 2.5% span length of 29.0 mm and 35.2 percent ginning outturn.

Ankur 651 -

This is an intra - hirsutum leaf curl virus resistant and jassid tolerant hybrid
having small leaves with broad lobes. It is short, compact, early and sympodial.
It has one monopod and 23 - 25 sympods and of about 97 cm plant height. It matures
in about 170 days and is suitable for cotton - wheat rotation. It recorded an average
seed cotton yield of 7 q/acre. It has 28 mm medium staple fibre and 32.5% ginning
outturn.

Whitegold -

It is an intra - hirsutum hybrid tolerant to leaf curl virus disease with dark green
broad lobed leaves. It has 1 - 2 monopods and 20 - 22 sympods with 125 cm plant
height. Its maturity period is 180 days. Average seed cotton yield is 6.5 q/acre.
It has 29.4 mm staple length and ginning outturn is 30%.

LHH 144 :

This is an intra - hirsutum, leaf curl virus resistant hybrid, with semi - okra
lobed leaves. It has 3 - 4 monopods, 20 - 25 sympods and about 151 cm plant height.
The average boll weight is 5.5 g. Besides its resistance to leaf curl it is also
tolerant to jassid and bacterial blight. It matures in about 180 days and is suitable
for cotton - wheat rotation. It recorded an average seed cotton yield of 7.6 q/acre.
It has 28.8 mm 2.5% span length and 33.0% ginning outturn. LHH 144 has superior
medium staple fiber which is suitable for spinning at 40s counts.

F 1861:

It is a cotton leaf curl virus resistant variety recommended for cultivation throughout
the Punjab State. The plant of this variety bears 1 - 2 monopods with 13 - 16 sympods
and has an average plant height of 135 cm. It has dark green broad lobed leaves
with narrow tips slightly curved upwards. Its maturity period is 180 days. It recorded
an average seed cotton yield of 6.5 q/acre. It has medium staple with 2.5% span
length of 26.3 mm. Its ginning outturn is 33.5% and is spinnable at 30s counts.

F 1378:

It is a high yielding, semi - sympodial variety, the plant bears 0 - 2 monopods
with 19 - 20 fruiting branches and has an average plant height of 150 cm. It has
light green broad lobed flat leaves and big round bolls with good fluffy opening.
Its maturity period is 180 days. It recorded an average seed - cotton yield of 10
q/acre. It has medium staple with 2.5% span length of 26.2 mm. Its ginning outturn
is 35.5 percent.

F 846:

This is semi - spreading, high yielding variety. The average plant height of the
variety is about 134 cm with strong main stem. The plants bear 2 - 3 monopods with
18 - 20 fruiting branches. It has green broad lobed leaves and big round bolls with
good fluffy opening. Its maturity period is about 180 days. The average yield is
about 11 quintal kapas/acre. The ginning outturn is 35.3 percent with 2.5% span
length of 25.8 mm. It is suitable for spinning at 30s counts.

LH 1556 :

It is short duration, early maturing variety of cotton. It is semi - sympodial in
growth habit with 1 - 2 monopods and plant height of 140 cm. It has light green
medium sized leaves and round bolls with good fluffy opening. Its 2.5 percent span
length is 27.7 mm and is suitable for spinning at 40 counts and gins 34.0 percent.
It matures in about 165 days. Its seed cotton yield is 8.5 quintal/acre. Desi Cotton

Moti:

It is a new Fusarium wilt tolerant male sterility based desi cotton hybrid. It has
green plant body, semi sympodial, bushy habit of growth, average plant height of
164 cm, narrow leaves with white flowers, large boll size with 4 - locules and good
fluffy opening and easy to pick. It matures in 165 days. Its average yield is 8.45
quintal per acre. Its ginning outturn is 38.6% and fibre length is 20.5 mm.

LD 694:

It is a desi cotton variety with dark - red pigmented plant body, narrow lobed leaves,
pink flowers and red spot inside the petal. It possesses big bolls with fluffy opening.
LD 694 matures in about 170 days and is more synchronous in maturity than other
released varieties of desi cotton. It is short staple, coarse fibre variety with
ginning outturn of 40.9%. It gave an average seed - cotton yield of 7 q/acre. It
is resistant to jassid and more tolerant to Fusarium wilt and bacterial blight.

LD 327:

It is a high yielding and high ginning semi - sympodial variety. The plants are
reddish brown with narrow - lobed deep cut leaves and pink flowers. It possesses
big bolls usually with 4 loculi, better opening and easy picking. It vacates the
field in about 175 days for the timely sowing of wheat. It is relatively tolerant
to Fusarium wilt. Its fibre is short, coarse and suitable for export. Its average
yield is 11.5 q/acre. Its 2.5% span length is 19.0 mm and ginning percentage is
41.9.

Varieties/hybrids of American and arboreum cotton released by Punjab Agricultural
University, Ludhiana

Sr. No.

Variety/hybrid

Parentage

*Year of release

Yield potential (q/ha)

Fibre length (mm)

Ginning outturn (%)

Micronaire value

Fibre strength (g/tex)

Spinnability (s Counts)

Resistance to diseases/ insectpests

Duration (days)

AMERICAN COTTON

1.

LSS

Selection

1931

15.00

22.4

33.4

4.5

45.0

30

270

2.

320F

Selection

1951

13.70

23.1

34.6

3.2

45.6

30

270

3.

J 34

45F * L 55

1966

14.00

24.3

34.8

4.1

46.6

32

Resistant to Jassid

190

4.

J 205

J 2 * UL 48

1973

15.00

25.1

34.3

3.6

46.1

35

Resistant to Jassid

185

5.

F 414

Selection from B.N.

1977

19.00

23.4

34.2

4.4

49.8

30

Resistant to Jassid

180

6.

LH 372

G 67 * Am.
Nectriless

1980

16.87

24.2

33.3

4.5

47.7

30

Resistant to Jassid

180

7.

F 286

F 414 * Empire 61

1983

21.00

23.9

33.8

4.6

47.2

30

180

8.

LH 900

LH 223-480 * LH
223-343

1985

27.50

23.1

33.9

4.8

47.7

30

Resistant to bacterial blight

165

9.

F 505

F 414 * A 231

1986

24.00

24.3

34.6

4.6

48.2

30

Tolerant to jassid

180

10.

LH 886

LH 62 * EC 34859

1988

26.10

23.0

35.0

4.5

47.7

30

180

11.

LH 1134

IAN 6074 * LH 96-4

1990

27.00

27.6

35.5

4.5

47.7

40

Tolerant to jassid

175

12.

F 846

F 452 * LH 223-481

1992

27.50

25.8

35.3

4.4

45.6

30

180

13.

F 1054

F 470 * A 258

1992

28.60

26.8

34.6

4.7

48.2

30

160

14.

Fateh

LHH 660 * Suman

1994

29.00

26.0

34.2

4.8

22.6

30

180

15.

LH 1556

(LH 886 * LH 900) *LH 952

1995

24.00

27.7

34.0

4.8

49.8

40

Tolerant to CLCuV

165

16.

F 1378

(SRT 1 * F 413) * CP 32

1997

24.00

26.2

35.5

4.2

45.6

30

180

17.

LHH 144

PIL 43 * PIL 8

1997

19.10

28.8

33.0

4.6

23.1

40

Resistant to CLCuV

180

18.

F 1861

F 505 * F 380

2002

20.10

26.3

33.5

4.6

20.6

30

Resistant to CLCuV

180

ARBOREUM COTTON

1.

231R

Selection

1959

12.80

15.5

42.0

39.1

6

180

2.

G 27

Selection

1969

15.00

16.0

38.0

7.2

42.9

8-10

180

3.

LD 133

Selection

1978

16.87

16.7

38.9

7.7

37.5

8-10

180

4.

LD 230

G 27 * 231R

1981

26.25

18.0

37.8

7.8

40.7

8-10

Tolerant to fusarium wilt

160

5.

LD 327

G 57 * (G 27 * L 124)

1987

28.50

17.0

41.9

7.4

41.8

10-12

Tolerant to fusarium wilt

175

6.

LDH 11

G 327 * IC 30839

1994

31.30

21.8

40.1

8.5

40.7

8-10

Tolerant to fusarium wilt

175

7.

LD 491

LD 251 * Gao 20

1995

23.15

19.9

38.9

7.5

8.

LD 694

LD 260 * LD 360

9.

Moti

DS 5 * LD 210

2004

21.13

20.5

38.6

*Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana was established during 1962

?CICR, 2006-07
Information Compiled by M. Sabesh, CICR

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